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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce with Parmesan

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta features tender chicken in a luxurious sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce, creating a romantic dish perfect for date nights. It comes together in about 30 minutes with maximum flavor and minimal effort using ingredients commonly found in your kitchen.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz pasta of your choice (penne or fettuccine work well)
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to simmer. Gradually add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

Choose pasta shapes that hold sauce well like penne or fettuccine. The pasta water is your best friend for adjusting sauce thickness as the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta perfectly. Don't overcook the chicken - remove it from the pan as soon as it's cooked through.